Three Tips to Live Healthy and Excel as a Lifeguard

Being a lifeguard is serious business. You are responsible for ensuring the safety and well being of those under your guard. This means being fully alert at all times, quick to respond, and having the physical strength and stamina to actually save a life should the need arise. However, as the universal truth goes, you cannot take care of others without first taking care of yourself. This means being in the best possible shape physically as well as being in a positive mental state. Below are three tips to live a healthy lifestyle and exceed as a lifeguard.

Sleep

You have heard it since you were able to walk: sleep is important to well being. Science backs that up 100%. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, “Studies also show that sleep deficiency alters activity in some parts of the brain. If you’re sleep deficient, you may have trouble making decisions, solving problems, controlling your emotions and behavior, and coping with change.” Problem solving, keeping a cool head, and being able to change in an instant to adapt to a situation are keys to being a lifeguard. Therefore, sleep will allow you perform these tasks at a maximum capacity.

Try HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training)

High intensity training is a great way to improve cardiovascular function. HIIT refers to doing short burst of high intensity movement followed by a small period of low intensity. One example may be cycling as hard as you can for 30 seconds and then slowing down for one to two minutes. Studies actually back up that this helps. According to Shape Magazine, “One 2006 study found that after 8 weeks of doing HIIT workouts, subjects could bicycle twice as long as they could before the study, while maintaining the same pace.” This is important because as a lifeguard, you need endurance and the ability to keep going for long periods of time.

Practice Breathing

Whether you are working out in the gym, the pool, or on land, always remember to practice breathing. According to My Net Diary, breathing is important for many things while exercising, “One of which is that it helps with posture. The same muscles that help us with our posture are the ones that also help us respire. Good breath, good posture.” Posture is important and, as a lifeguard, it is critical. Sitting all day, you will want to maintain good posture to stay focused and alert. You also want good posture if you have to get in the water to save someone and, in general, breathing helps you learn to stay calm under pressure. The more you practice deep breathing, the more it becomes a natural response when you are under pressure, which you will be as lifeguard.

As a lifeguard, you want to be alert, able to jump at a seconds notice, keep moving as long as you need to, and be calm under pressure. Sleeping well, training with HIIT, and practicing breathing are three great health tips to help you excel at your job as a lifeguard.╚